The India U-20 national football team went down 2-4 against Iraq in their opening fixture of the AFC U-20 Championship Group H qualifiers, which took place at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait on Friday. The first goal of the match came as early as the second minute, as Iraq scored through Abdulrazzaq Qasim's curling effort with the outside of his boot.

India looked to respond immediately, as both Gurkirat and Taison created danger repeatedly for the rival defence within a span of few minutes but were brought down with fouls. Eventually, the pressure paid off in the 22nd minute as Gurkirat scored with a timely shot after Vibin played in Taison, who laid it on a plate for the forward. Gurkirat turned from scorer to provider in the 33rd minute as he essayed a fine through pass, with Maheson applying the finishing touch through a dink over the goalkeeper.